Habit reversal training

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Habit reversal training (HRT) is a "multicomponent behavioral treatment package originally developed to address a wide variety of repetitive behavior disorders".[1]

Behavioral disorders treated with HRT include tics, trichotillomania, nail biting, thumb sucking, and skin picking.[2] It consists of five components:[1]

  1. awareness training,
  2. competing response training,
  3. contingency management,
  4. relaxation training, and
  5. generalization training.

In the case of tics, these components are intended to increase tic awareness, develop a competing response to the tic, and build treatment motivation and compliance.[1] HRT is based on the presence of a premonitory urge, or sensation occurring before a tic. HRT involves replacing a tic with a competing response, a more comfortable or acceptable movement/sound, when a patient feels a premontory urge building. Controlled trials have demonstrated that HRT is an acceptable, tolerable, effective and durable treatment for tics.[1]

HRT still faces several issues including limited data as a result of retrospective, qualitative report studies.

Habit Reversal Therapy in general has less side effects than pharmecotherapy, and has been proven more effective than supportive psychotherapy.


[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ a b c d Piacentini JC, Chang SW. Behavioral treatments for tic suppression: habit reversal training. Adv Neurol. 2006;99:227–33. PMID 16536370
  2. ^ Azrin NH, Nunn RG. Habit-reversal: a method of eliminating nervous habits and tics. Behav Res Ther. 1973 Nov;11(4):619–28. PMID 4777653 As reported in Piacentini JC, Chang SW. Behavioral treatments for tic suppression: habit reversal training. Adv Neurol. 2006;99:227–33. PMID 16536370